In a report ahead of the embattled coal miner’s EGM on Thursday week , Pirc has also called for investors to sack all directors with “conflicts of interest” and only advises abstaining on the removal of chairman Samin Tan as he has already signalled his intention to step down.

Pirc said Mr Gill “appears to have more relevant experience on mining operations”, while there are questions about Mr von Schirnding’s “competence as he appears to be a PR person”.

Pirc recommends shareholders also resist Mr Rothschild’s attempt to return in an executive role, given that he created Bumi via an ill-starred £1.85bn deal with Indonesia’s Bakrie family and that his presence raises “concerns that the board will be dominated by him”.

Mr Rothschild has tabled resolutions to oust 12 of Bumi’s 14 directors and install a new board under a new chairman Wal King, an Australian businessman. Pirc advises abstaining on the appointment of Mr King, noting “he will not be considered independent” due to “prior business relationships” with Mr Rothschild. The financier denied there were any such prior relationships.